Afghanistan continued their dominance over Zimbabwe, wrapping up a comfortable seven-wicket win in the second T20I in Harare to seal the series 2-0 with a game to spare.
A disciplined bowling effort, led by Rashid Khan’s three wickets for nine runs, dismantled Zimbabwe for just 125, before Ibrahim Zadran’s unbeaten 57 anchored a chase that never looked in doubt.
It was a match that underlined Afghanistan’s rising consistency in white-ball cricket — where their balance between spin mastery and calm batting is beginning to show the maturity of a side built for big tournaments.
Mujeeb Sets the Tone with Powerplay Control
Mujeeb-ur-Rahman’s spell during the powerplay epitomized Afghanistan’s tactical nous. Zimbabwe’s openers — Dion Myers and Brendan Taylor — began with intent but found themselves trapped by the mystery spinner’s variations and unrelenting control.
Myers fell trying to sweep against the turn, sending a simple catch to short fine-leg. Taylor, looking to take advantage of the final powerplay over, perished attempting to loft Mujeeb straight down the ground.
By the end of six overs, Zimbabwe were 34 for 2 — and visibly frustrated. Afghanistan’s plan to choke run flow early had worked to perfection.
“They tried to attack in the field restrictions, but Mujeeb’s accuracy and changes of pace kept them guessing,” said Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott post-match.
Abdollah Ahmadzai Brings the Heat
While Mujeeb squeezed from one end, Abdollah Ahmadzai brought fire from the other.
The 22-year-old pacer, still fresh to international cricket, bowled with the raw aggression of a seasoned enforcer. His short-of-a-length deliveries exploited the slightly two-paced surface, hurrying the Zimbabwe batters.
Ryan Burl, trying to counterattack, fell to a sharp rising ball — top-edging a pull straight up. That wicket reduced Zimbabwe to 57 for 4 and exposed the middle order.
Abdollah’s energy stood out in a team often defined by spin. His bounce and hostility provided balance to an otherwise spin-heavy lineup, signaling Afghanistan’s evolving bowling depth.
Rashid Returns to Finish the Job
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan had briefly left the field with a hand injury earlier, but his return in the 17th over turned the innings on its head.
First, he trapped Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe’s last hope, with a quicker leg-break that skidded through. Then, in classic Rashid fashion, he ran through the tail with ruthless precision.
He ended with 3 for 9 in 2.4 overs, tightening his grip as one of the world’s most effective T20 finishers with the ball.
Zimbabwe’s innings closed on 125 all out, their highest partnership just 24 — a testament to how completely Afghanistan’s bowlers dominated.
Ibrahim Zadran’s Poised Chase Leads the Way
Chasing 126, Afghanistan’s approach was refreshingly clinical.
Ibrahim Zadran, continuing his fine run of form, anchored the innings with a controlled 57 off 44 balls*, his second consecutive T20I fifty.
He mixed aggression and composure beautifully — punishing width in the powerplay and then shifting gears to rotate strike once the field spread. His nine boundaries early on ensured Afghanistan’s asking rate stayed comfortably under control.
By the end of the powerplay, Afghanistan had already plundered 54 runs, three times more than Zimbabwe managed in the same phase.
Even though the middle order — Sediqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli — struggled for fluency, Ibrahim’s calmness ensured there were no alarms. Afghanistan crossed the line in 16.4 overs, sealing both match and series.
A Powerplay Masterclass – Where the Match Was Won
The biggest difference between the two sides came in the first six overs of each innings.
| Team | Powerplay Score | Boundaries | Wickets Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | 34/2 | 3 | 2 |
| Afghanistan | 54/0 | 9 | 0 |
Afghanistan’s top order took full advantage of the fielding restrictions, while Zimbabwe’s indecisive strokeplay and Afghanistan’s spin squeeze ensured they were always behind.
That contrast — early dominance versus early struggle — defined the game.
Afghanistan’s Bowling Evolution — A Well-Rounded Attack
While Rashid and Mujeeb continue to headline, the emergence of Abdollah Ahmadzai adds a fresh dimension. Afghanistan now possess one of the most balanced T20 attacks:
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Mujeeb for the new ball control
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Rashid for middle and death overs
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Ahmadzai and Naveen-ul-Haq for pace and bounce
This variety allows Afghanistan to adapt seamlessly to surfaces — an evolution from the days when they relied solely on spin magic.
Raza’s Lone Resistance Fails to Inspire Zimbabwe
For Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza once again stood alone amid the wreckage.
His 37 off 25 balls was a spirited attempt to rebuild, featuring sharp footwork and clever use of angles. He punished rare loose balls — including a gorgeous inside-out drive for four — but ran out of partners just as momentum began to shift.
Raza’s dismissal off Rashid marked the end of Zimbabwe’s resistance. The lower order folded quickly, exposing a recurring issue: lack of depth and adaptability against world-class spin.
Zimbabwe’s Growing Concerns
Zimbabwe’s batting continues to suffer from inconsistency and poor shot selection.
Despite individual flashes of brilliance, partnerships remain rare. The lack of adaptability against spin and pace alike has made them predictable.
With senior players like Raza and Taylor still carrying most of the burden, the younger core has yet to assert itself. Their middle-order collapse pattern — from 50-for-2 to 120-for-8 — is now alarmingly familiar.
Coach Dave Houghton faces the task of rebuilding a side that has fight but little finishing ability.
What This Win Means for Afghanistan?
This series victory extends Afghanistan’s dominance over Zimbabwe and underlines their steady climb in T20I consistency.
It’s their sixth consecutive bilateral T20I series win over lower-ranked teams and adds vital momentum ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup.
The match also highlighted leadership depth — Rashid Khan’s calm return from injury, Ibrahim’s maturity, and Mujeeb’s consistency — all key pillars of Afghanistan’s growing cricketing identity.
“We’re learning to win not just through moments of brilliance but through complete team performances,” Rashid said. “That’s what makes this series special.”
Match Summary
Zimbabwe: 125 all out (Raza 37; Rashid 3-9, Mujeeb 2-26, Abdollah 2-28)
Afghanistan: 129/3 in 16.4 overs (Ibrahim 57*, Evans 2-21)
Result: Afghanistan won by 7 wickets, lead series 2–0
